Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for determining condition of wafers during processing of the wafers. The system and method include detecting vibrations of a wafer transfer robot, generating signals based upon the vibrations, and processing the signals for determining a condition of the wafers held by the wafer transfer robot.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing moisture from sludge. The process and apparatus comprise: conveying on a conveyor the sludge on an incline through a housing such that, as the sludge is conveyed, it is deposited onto an exposed portion of the housing; heating the sludge with a heater as it is conveyed on the incline to evaporate moisture in the sludge, whereby the sludge that it is deposited onto the exposed portion of the housing is also heated to thereby evaporate moisture from the sludge; extracting from the housing using a vacuum device an airflow comprising the evaporated moisture, whereby the airflow includes moisture that has been evaporated as a result of the sludge being deposited onto the exposed heated portion of the housing; and discharging from the housing, separately to the extracting of the airflow from the housing, the sludge from which the moisture has been removed.

Abstract: A solar drying tunnel having a low-profile and which is transportable includes a bottom portion, a frame, a cover, and externally controlled rolling mechanism for turning grain over. The tunnel may also include a fan at one end and a chimney at another end to provide enhanced air flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer for drying of garden waste, particularly of chopped lop and other bulk material, comprising an elongated lying container with a cross section which is at least partially round; the container comprises at its one end an inlet and at its other end an outlet for the material; the container wall is perforated at least over parts of its length; the perforations are connected to pressurized air; there are provided conveyer means which seize the material in the ascending quadrant of the container wall and transport the same upwardly over a certain length of path.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying laundry with ultraviolet radiation is provided. One or more ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation, which, in various embodiments, is transmitted through a UV-radiation permeable transparent drum containing the wet laundry and other wet articles to be dried. Also provided is a dryer having ultraviolet light sources centrally situated with respect to the drum, wherein the ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation directed at laundry in the drum.

Abstract: A chromaticity correction device corrects chromaticity of a video signal displayed on a display panel of a display device to correspond to a change in a luminance value of the display panel. The chromaticity correction device includes a luminance detection unit which detects the luminance value, a backlight driving level detection unit which detects a backlight driving level, a temperature detection unit which detects an internal device temperature or an ambient temperature, a reference luminance value calculation unit which estimates a reference luminance value in a characteristic of an initial state, a chromaticity calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity change amount of white point chromaticity and estimated white point chromaticity that is an estimated value of current white point chromaticity, a chromaticity correction value calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity correction value and a chromaticity correction circuit which corrects the chromaticity of the video signal.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: A granulation device comprises a wet granulation unit (2), comprising a chamber (4), for mixing a powder product with appropriate binding agents, and a dry granulation unit (3), comprising a chamber (26), for mixing a product exiting from the wet granulation unit (2); the dry granulation unit (3) being operatively connected with the wet granulation unit (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer for drying fuel materials such as wood bark, wood chips, sludge, garbage, peat moss or the like. In a preferred embodiment the dryer comprises a conveyor, consisting of twin endless belts, which carries the material to be dried along a vertical path defined between parallel runs of the endless belts, and ductwork which serves to direct heated air (received from any appropriate source) across the vertical path to remove moisture from the material as it is being conveyed. The ductwork includes at least one feed duct for use in delivering the heated air to one side of the vertical path, and at least one exhaust duct for use in withdrawing moisture-laden air on another side of the vertical path. Suction is applied at the exhaust ducts to draw drying air through the ductwork, and the feed and exhaust ducts are made to seal against the conveyor to reduce the introduction of ambient air into the dryer ductwork under the suction applied.

Abstract: A turbulence bar assembly for a cylinder that extends in an axial direction includes a plurality of bars that extend in the axial direction and at least one hoop. The at least one hoop has one or more hoop segments that are connected to the plurality of bars and one or more couplers that are in engagement with the one or more hoop segments to expand and contract a radial dimension of the at least one hoop in response to movement of an adjustment block in the axial direction.

Abstract: There is described a hot-mix asphalt plant intended for the production of hot-mix asphalt using a full percentage of milled asphalt product or using cold ingredients and filler charge for producing first grade hot-mix asphalt, comprised of a circular chamber 2 adapted to receive and mix milled asphalt product with solid asphalt additive or to receive and mix the cold ingredients and a filler charge with liquid asphalt cement, provided with a circular tubular coil 104 for circulation of thermal fluid or gas, secured next to the lower side part of the circular chamber 102, adapted with electrical resistors 123 or gas-fueled heaters to produce thermal energy in the form of heat.

Abstract: A dryer includes a dryer body, a driving device, a groove, and an upper cover. The groove is located around the opening of the dryer body. The upper cover has a cone shape and is located at the opening of the dryer body. The edge of the bottom of the upper cover is located at the groove. The angle of the cone end of the upper cover makes the water droplets condensed on the inner wall of the upper cover slide downward along the inner wall of the upper cover so that they are collected in the groove.

Abstract: A technology can efficiently dry the high-boiling point solvent contained in the object and achieve the space-saving and energy-saving of a drying apparatus. A drying method for drying an object containing a first solvent while conveying the object into a chamber (38), comprises: a first drying step of drying the object up to a drying point in the prestage of the chamber (38); and a second drying step of forming a vapor atmosphere of a second solvent having a lower boiling point than the first solvent in the chamber (38) and drying the object such that the temperature of the object in an inlet port of the chamber (38) is made to be lower by a predetermined temperature difference than the temperature of the vapor atmosphere.

Abstract: A drying apparatus includes an outer case, a portion of the outer case defining a cavity, an outlet disposed at a lower end of the cavity and a liquid dispersion unit, the liquid dispersion unit comprising a collector downstream of the outlet, a liquid evaporation unit in communication with the collector and an airflow generator for exhausting evaporated liquid from the collector to the exterior of the outer case. The liquid evaporation unit includes a high frequency agitator, such as a piezo-electric device. The piezo-electric device, when in use, agitates the surface of the water, and the water can be evaporated at a low energy cost. The waste liquid is therefore removed from the drying apparatus more hygienically and economically than known prior art arrangements.

Abstract: A new Indirectly Heated Screw Processor Apparatus and Methods wherein a series of rotating helical ducts or hollow flites radial to a shaft, transfers heat via a heat transfer medium, the first face flite disc facing in the opposite direction to material or product flow and thereby significantly increasing the product retention time and thermal heat transfer. Heat is transferred via a heat transfer medium through a rotary joint to the inner surface of the hollow shaft. The flites continuously traverse a longitudinal portion of the rotor wherein said flites are equally spaced apart in a substantially parallel angle and orientation, the spacing, or pitch, concluding in a non-flite, or “dead zone” region of the longitudinal length of rotor wherein the material or product accumulates and is retained for an increased amount of time, and when compared to conventional indirect-heating screw conveyors, the apparatus provides a higher percentage of flite height fill.

Abstract: A self-contained dehydration toilet having an odor-capturing steam and water recovery system. The dehydration toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a dehydration engine connected to the toilet bowl, a steam, gas and vapor conduit from the dehydrating engine, a water supply infusion tank which receives steam, gases and vapor from the dehydration engine to the infusion water tank, an ozone generator which supplies ozone to the water supply, a vacuum pump connected to the infusion water tank, and a power source supplying power to the dehydrating engine, the ozone generator, a control circuit and the vacuum pump. The dehydrating engine has a heating device and helical paddles to aid in the dehydration process. The dehydrating toilet reuses steam and captures odors and vapors with diffusion chambers in the infusion water tank.

Abstract: A hanger rod for a clothes drying cabinet includes a plurality of notches, each adapted to receive a hanger. Each notch is V-shaped, with opposite side walls which converge downwardly to a substantially pointed apex. The rod has front and rear walls defining a thickness ranging between 30%–75% of the hanger hook diameter. The notches provide four contact points on the hanger hook to prevent rotation of the hanger hook on the rod during the drying process.

Abstract: An emptying unit for recovering bottom residue, particularly in drying filters, drying units and the like, comprising, inside a container for treating and containing dried product, fluid introducing elements for moving the bottom residue of the dried product. A discharge port being also provided which is controlled by a discharge valve interposed on a pneumatic circuit suitable to produce a circulation of fluid in output from the discharge port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein liquid material is directly and distributively poured into upright cylindrical tubes, then, in its isolated state from external atmosphere for perfect sterilization, the liquid material is frozen with uniform thickness onto inner wall surface of the tubes, with further possibility of uniform heating of the freeze-dried layer. The main body of this apparatus is constructed with upright cylindrical tubes for freezing liquid material onto inner surface of tubes and jackets to surround the outer periphery of each of the tubes in a substantially concentric cylindrical shape, within which to circulate heat medium; then, a duct communicating to the vacuum exhaust system is connected to the upper end side of these tubes, while, a recovery chamber provided with valve is connected to the lower end side of tubes; and an inlet port is defined for feeding liquid material into inner cavity of tubes.

Abstract: A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a distributive ejection apparatus for liquid material in a freeze-drying apparatus for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc., wherein the liquid material adjusted from the starting material for foodstuffs, medicaments, etc. is caused to freeze onto the inner wall surface of the upright cylindrical tube, and the distributive ejection of the liquid material onto the tube at the time of its freeze-drying by sublimation of the moisture content in the material under the vacuum condition may be done in the state of supplying the liquid material over the entire surface of the inner wall surface of the tube with a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Drying semiconductor wafers or substrates by introducing an polar organic compound in liquid form into or onto means for enhancing evaporation within a process chamber and allowing the liquid to evaporate and form a drying vapor within the process chamber.

Abstract: For separating and drying pellets from a suspension, centrifugal dryers have proved successful wherein a rotor equipped with conveyor blades and disposed vertically in an outside housing for collecting the liquid is enclosed coaxially by a hollow body formed of screen elements. The suspension of pellets and liquid is supplied continuously to the lower area of the space between the hollow body and the rotor. The pellets are transported upward by the conveyor blades rotating with the rotor while being thrown back and forth and dried between the conveyor blades and the screens. At the upper end of the rotor the dried pellets are thrown off. The liquid separated from the pellets passes through the screen jacket and flows out of the discharge port of the outside housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuously discriminating between a contaminated plastic material containing trapped volatile contaminants and plastic material which contains an acceptable threshold of contaminants including first supplying a continuous source of plastic material wherein the plastic material contains trapped volatile contaminants and feeding a sample of the plastic material to the input section of an auger conveyor. The auger conveyor contains a barrel and a transfer screw positioned within the barrel with flights thereon for conveying the plastic material, the auger also connected to an output section which itself is connected to a detector for detecting trapped volatile contaminants.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuously drying vegetables, particularly leaf vegetables, comprising a mechanical drying section and a thermodynamic drying section, said mechanical drying section comprising a preliminary dripping section and a water removal section, or de-watering section, and said thermodynamic drying section comprising a hot section and a cold section.

Abstract: A process is provided for freeze-drying medicaments and foodstuffs comprising dissolving the foodstuffs or medicaments in a solvent, introducing the solution formed into a shell comprising a desiccating chamber of a shell-tube freeze-drying device to cause the solution to freeze in a tubular layer, and crushing and comminuting the freeze-dried liquid with a comminuting device to obtain a powder product.

Abstract: The invention concern a chamber for drying animal waste, in particular poultry manure, adapted to receive a mixture (M) of fresh waste and dry waste, the floor thereof being adapted to retain the mixture (M) while being permeable to air (A), said floor consisting of an assembly of elements (60, 60′) each capable of forming means for retaining the waste and including means (T) which periodically enable to transfer outside the chamber (1) and through said floor (6) a fraction of the dry waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in removing at least one volatile contaminant from contaminated material by using a rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. The apparatus employs, in another preferred embodiment, at least one material transfer element. Furthermore, the contaminated material may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the decontaminated material can be cooled through a heat exchanger prior to discharge.

Abstract: A continuous flow fluid bed dryer has a dryer housing having a drying chamber and a plenum chamber located beneath the drying chamber. Moist product to be dried is introduced to the drying chamber at a product inlet and proceeds through the drying chamber to a discharge housing. A porous screen partially separates the drying chamber and the plenum chamber. Heated air is introduced into the plenum chamber which then passes through the screen to the drying chamber to dry product in the drying chamber. A shaft extends centrally through the drying chamber and is mounted for slow rotation therein. A plurality of paddles are connected to the shaft. The paddles move about a path of rotation whereby paddle ends sequentially sweep over the surface of the screen. In doing so, the paddles momentarily move product away from the screen permitting a rush of heated into the drying chamber locally fluidizing the bed and further drying the product.

Abstract: Annular drying element (15) for mounting on a rotor axle in a drying plant for indirect heating or cooling of moist, comminuted, biological material such as fishmeal, offal from slaughterhouses, mash from breweries and similar materials of animal, vegetable or chemical origin. The drying element is configured with a number of through-going openings (25) extending from the one side of the element to the other. The drying element can be made of two identical, annular plate elements (16) with holes (25), in that tubular stays are welded between oppositely-lying holes. Through the openings (25), elongated elements can be inserted which increase the stirring in the product mass which is to be heat-treated.

Abstract: There is described a furnace of the kind in which a toroidal fluid flow heating zone may be established. The furnace includes a chamber (7a) in which there is provided an inner block and a ring of angled blades (21) between the inner block and an inner wall of the chamber (7a). Means (4a) is provided for delivering fluid into the chamber in such a way that the fluid passes through gaps between the blades and establishes a toroidal fluid flow heating zone in the chamber above the ring of angled blades. Means (23) is also provided for injecting feed particulate material into the chamber in a region where the toroidal fluid flow heating zone is to be established. In one arrangement, means (49) is additionally provided for injecting fuel into the chamber in a region above the ring of angled blades so that the region in the chamber at which the heating zone is established is elevated above the ring of angled blades. In another arrangement, means (33) is provided for cooling the inner block.

Abstract: In order to remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned semiconductor wafers W, a vibration transmitting device 20 capable of approaching the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W, and an oscillator 25 for applying an ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting device 20. The oscillator 25 is driven to apply the ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting plates 24 of the vibration transmitting device 20 and to apply energy of the ultrasonic vibration to a gas between the vibration transmitting device 20 and the surfaces of the semiconductor wafer W to remove water adhering the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W. Thus, it is possible to surely remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned objects to be treated, to dry the objects without the need of a dry gas of an organic solvent vapor, such as IPA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in continuously loading material to be treated into a rotary vacuum retort and continuously unloading one or more vapors or similar volatile substances and treated material out of the rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and high vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. Furthermore, the material being treated may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the processed material can be cooled through a heat exchanger to permit the use of a low temperature pinch valve airlock on the discharge end of the process.

Abstract: Device for the thermal treatment of bulk material with a screw conveyor transporting the bulk material which is equipped with infrared heat radiators in a tempering zone, characterized in that the infrared heat radiators are arranged in the screw conveyors in the central area of the rotation diameter. The device is also characterized in that the infrared heat radiators are mounted in a radiation-permeable screw shaft. The walls of a screw trough of the screw conveyor have an infrared-reflecting coating or are made of an infrared-reflecting material.

Abstract: An extruder for melting plastic granules which is designed as a two-stage system in an integrated structural unit with an extruder chamber having an extruder screw in a heatable housing, as well as with a drying chamber having a heated conveying screw with displacement elements which dry the plastic granules and axially convey them to the extruder chamber without compression. In a preferred embodiment, the conveying screw has a larger diameter than the extruder screw, and displacement elements of greater depth than the extruder screw.

Abstract: There is disclosed an impedance-heated furnace for processing a nonflowable but conveyable material at the processing temperature comprising a nonrotating shell having electrical-conducting properties, and heated to a processing temperature using electrical impedance as the heat source. The shell includes an inlet and an outlet and a conveyor means, which also may be heated by impedance, for transporting or carrying the material along or through the shell. The resulting solids and any generated or volatilized gases are recovered separately.

Abstract: The dryer includes a double-walled casing, the inner wall of which defines a cylindrical drying chamber for receiving the products and the outer wall and the inner wall of which define between them an interspace for the circulation of a diathermic fluid. A shaft is mounted in the chamber and has a motor for rotating it about its own axis and at least one blade fixed to it which, on rotation of the shaft, can exert a mixing action on the product and can detach it from the inner wall of the casing. The shaft is mounted eccentrically of the longitudinal axis of the chamber and has a motor rotating it about the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a channel having an inlet end for receiving particulate material to be dehydrated and an outlet end for discharging the particulate material in a dehydrated condition. A screw conveyor rotatably mounted in the channel advances the particulate material while stirring the particulate material to enhance the release of water and noxious vapors. A fan creates an air current in the channel to entrain water and noxious vapors released by the particulate material. The vapors are directed toward a heating chamber which incinerates dangerous and odoriferous compounds as much as possible. The resulting gaseous media is directed through a passage in a heat-exchange relationship with the channel to elevate the temperature of the particulate material that is being processed and to cause same to release water and noxious vapors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to an agitated pan type dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: A method of drying organic or inorganic material or a mixture thereof, said material containing a liquid or liquids, which comprises introducing said material interiorly of a rotating rotor carrying on its periphery oscillating rotor blades, said rotor rotating about the axis of a process chamber having an inner surface with substantially axially extending ribs, said rotating rotor causing the material introduced interiorly of said rotor to be propelled radially outwardly of said axis of rotation and to expel liquid or liquids from said materials, and the oscillating rotor blades and the opposing ribs causing vibrational forces and turbulence to be induced into the outwardly flowing liquid so as to form a mist. Apparatus for carrying out said method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a conical screw type mixer/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate conveying apparatus for evenly drying particulate material. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spatially separate, essentially parallel, vertically oriented proportioning plates, disposed between a first end and a discharge end of the conveying apparatus for flow of particulate material therebetween. An endless conveyor is positioned proximate to and below the bottom edge of the proportioning plates for receiving of particulate material flowing between the plates from the first end to the discharge end of the conveying apparatus. The plates each have side edges that vary a preset distance from one side edge to an opposing side edge of the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a nutsche type filter/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drying particulate material, particularly alumina, which comprises the steps of subjecting a first portion of a wet particulate material feed to pre-drying to produce at least partially dried particular material and moisture, heating the at least partially dried particulate material to a temperature higher than the temperature of the pre-drying to produce hot particulate material, water vapour and products of combustion, passing the water vapour and products of combustion to the pre-drier, mixing the hot particulate material with a second portion of the wet particulate material feed to cool the hot particulate material and further cooling the cooled particulate material and subsequent separation to produce a low temperature particular material product.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of solid particles having a substantially circular metal coil with at least two turns helically would around a vertical axis and a central shaft, a lateral pipe for introducing particles and a lateral pipe for drawing off particles, a low voltage current tapping point for heating a turn of the coil by Joule effect to 20.degree.-1000.degree. C., an assembly of two pipes with a lateral pipe for introducing a fluid and a lateral pipe for drawing off a fluid such that the fluid can flow through at least one turn of the coil and means for imparting vibrations to the shaft and coil to advance the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drying system having continuously connected close spiral conveyers mainly including a material mixer, a pump, a plurality of spiral conveyers connected end-to-end and zigzagging their way from top to bottom, a plurality of steam chambers around the mixer and the spiral conveyers, a container, a water tank, and a plurality of hoppers for receiving dried material. The material mixer has a stirring blade for stirring and loosening the material to be dried. The pump is connected to a bottom end of the mixer to suck the loosened material from the mixer and send it to the spiral conveyers to thereby further loosen and transport the material. Steam chambers surrounding the spiral conveyers are filled with hot steam to indirectly heat the material passing through the spiral conveyers. Automatic control valves are separately provided at a lower end of each spiral conveyer and are connected to a vacuum pump for sucking any moisture out of the spiral conveyers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to an agitated pan type dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a nutsche type filter/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a conical screw type mixer/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: A continuous dryer for minerals and ores which employs a single horizontal screw conveyor in a cylindrical drying chamber with a plurality of external electrical heating elements surrounding the drying chamber. The screw conveyor has cut and folded flights which extend to within less than about one quarter inch from the inside wall of the drying chamber. The heating elements have integral mineral insulation, completely surround the drying chamber, and are in intimate contact with the chamber outer wall.